Title:
“What I like about a River?”
Introduction:
You are either living on the River, or being tossed in the Sea!
This Chapter outline the future events of human history. It speaks of both the time of the great tribulation, and also that of the Millennial Kingdom of Christ. It divides people into one of two groups, the redeemed saved, or the heathen lost.
Those of us who have trusted in Christ are likened unto being set free in a peaceful river. The lost are pictured as being tossed in the midst of a raging sea.
This past week, I have experienced both the peaceful river and the raging sea! On Tuesday, my daughter, Janelle, and I, rode our "Wave runners" to Grand Haven, Michigan, about ten miles south of our home. On the way back, we got caught up in small craft warning waves. It was enough to land on both on the beach, shivering cold, and in need of being rescued! We were able to beach the ski doos and call home. My other daughter, Jennifer, picked us up by car.
On Friday night, Jim Sager, and I, took a quiet and peaceful Kayak ride down the White River. Nice.
This is how the meditation for this sermon developed!
What I like about living on the River is…
1. The River is the place of cleansing.
Note that in verse 4, the River is called a "Holy" place. As I floated down the river, people were cooling themselves off in the river, taking an evening dip to get out the heat.
A river makes you feel clean. It is a placed to be baptized into the holiness of God. The blood of Christ has the power to make us feel clean all over.
2. The River is the place of boundaries.
(Psa 46:5) God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved:
When you are on a river, you can see both sides of the river bank. A Christian has the knowledge of "what is right, what is wrong." My challenge for people is to stay in the middle of the River. Stay in the will of God!
The sea is a wide open place. I do not like being tossed to and fro by the waves. God has given us a moral compass. Let’s stay in the River. Let’s keep our ship in the middle of the river!
3. The River is the place of consistency.
(Psa 46:1) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
On Friday night, we camped out near the damn in Hesperia, Michigan.
You could hear the water falling over the damn all night long. Gallons and gallons of water...
The River mentioned in Psalm 46, flows from the throne of God, it will never run dry.
There are two things that a Christian has that remind me of this river. The first is the Holy Spirit that resides within us. The second is the Word of God, which will also abide forever.
4. The River is the place of peace.
(Psa 46:2) Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Jesus is the pilot of our ship. He is the keeper of the River. We have no need of fear. God is in control of the waves, and the current.
On Friday night, we had a gentle current, with a blue evening sky. What a contrast to being tossed by the small croft warnings and the cold water temperature of Lake Michigan!
5. The River is the place of life.
(Psa 46:10) Be still, and know that I am God:
All along the river were signs of life. Little cottages nestled the banks of the River with green lawns, tall shade trees, and flowers. People were having coffee on their decks. Children were at play by the River bank.
When we turned a corner, we were suddenly in a remote wilderness area, but the River still teemed with life. Birds, blue herons, turtles, fish, and fishermen.
The raging sea is a place of death and destruction. The River of God is a River of Life!
6. The River is the place of purpose. (It is going somewhere!)
(Psa 46:9) He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
One day, God will establish his Kingdom.
When you are on a river, you are aware that you are on a journey. The river winds and bends, and has sense of motion.
You can easily get lost in the midst of a raging sea!
God has a plan for your life! Stay in the middle of the River!
7. The River is the place of invitation.
(Psa 46:4) There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
Do you live on the River of Life?
Note that the streams pour into, and make up, the River. Let me invite you to come into this River!
In John 4, Jesus invited the woman at the well to come to this river where she would never thirst again.
Your "vessel" is either floating down God’s peaceful River, or you are about to submerged into the waters of an angry sea.
Choose the River!
